“Nice Women Don't Want the Vote”

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

“Nice Women Don't Want the Vote” “NICE WOMEN DON’T WANT THE VOTE” A Travelling Exhibition Opportunity “Nice Women Don’t Want the Vote” was a phrase attributed to Manitoba’s Premier Sir Rodmond Roblin during a heated exchange with suffragist Nellie McClung. Now it’s the title of an exhibit commemorating the hundredth anniversary of the right to vote for women in Manitoba in 1916. On January 28, 1916, the Manitoba Legislature amended the Manitoba Election Act and for the first time in the province’s history, (most) women could vote. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Manitoba becoming the first province to extend the vote to women, The Manitoba Museum is inviting all Canadians to participate in this history, with the creation of this travelling exhibit as well as a teacher’s guide. “Social and political movements don’t leave many objects behind,” says Roland Sawatzky, Curator of History at The Manitoba Museum. “Things like banners, flags, and pamphlets are often lost or thrown away after a movement succeeds (or fades).” This porcelain match holder (1910-1914) made an anti-suffrage statement, equating suffragists with “silly geese.” Donated by Mae Irene Whyte, a Winnipeg suffragist Kim Semonick in memory of Grandmother Sarah Roper. Sawatzky put out a call into the community looking “Nice Women Don’t Want the Vote” outlines the for artefacts in January 2015. He heard from many historical context of the Suffragist movement and people, willing to donate or lend their ancestor’s commemorates the 100th anniversary of women in precious heirlooms. One of the most interesting is Manitoba winning the right to vote. It provides an the side of a house where a rural woman had painted opportunity for Canadians to deepen their knowledge “Vote for Women” and the story goes that her husband of voting and women’s rights. had scrawled “NO” in front of it. Opening at The Manitoba Museum on November 5, “History is never neat and tidy, and the history of the 2015, “Nice Women Don’t Want the Vote” will run until franchise (the right to vote) in Canada is about as April 10, 2016. A portable version of the exhibit will messy as it comes,” says Sawatzky. “While 1916 was travel around Manitoba and Canada. a big year for voting rights, Manitoba being the first province in the country to extend the right to vote to women, we do need to remember that this was only for some women. In Manitoba, First Nations people living on reserves and receiving an annuity from the Crown were barred from voting until the mid-20th century.” E. CORA HIND (1861-1942) Après son arrivée à Winnipeg en After moving to Winnipeg from provenance de l’Ontario en 1882, Ontario in 1882, E. Cora Hind E. Cora Hind compte exercer le métier planned to become an agricultural de journalisme agricole. Elle essuie journalist. After a few early quelques refus avant que le quotidien rejections, she published her Manitoba Free Press publie un premier first article in the Manitoba Free article en 1893. Avec le temps, Press in 1893. Over time she was ses enquêtes sur les récoltes et la greatly respected for her accurate précision de ses prévisions, devenues crop surveys and estimates, la norme internationale pour évaluer which became the international la production céréalière canadienne, standard for judging Canadian lui attirent le respect. Hind établit Le grain production. Hind founded Manitoba Equal Franchise Association the Manitoba Equal Franchise (association pour le suffrage universel) Association in 1894, and helped en 1894, et aide à organiser la Political establish the Political Equality Equality League (pour l’égalité League in 1912. She was involved dans l’arène politique) en 1912. in both Women’s Parliaments held Elle participe aux deux parlements in 1893 and 1914. Hind used her féminins (1893 et 1914) et exploite journalistic skills to highlight issues ses talents journalistiques pour important to rural women and the souligner les questions intéressant plight of working-class women les agricultrices et pour déplorer la in Winnipeg. situation des femmes de la classe ouvrière à Winnipeg. photo: Courtesy University of Waterloo Library, E. Cora Hind Collection photo: Bibliothèque de l’Université de Waterloo, collection E. Cora Hind Felt Pennant, c. 1913-15 Detail of a panel from the exhibit, one of 16 (height: 6’) Votes for Women gathering at Minitonas, Manitoba Content: English and French; Teacher’s Guide Costs: $600 per month rental fee plus shipping and taxes; minimum two month booking Size: 300 sq. ft.; 4 cases Available: Begins touring 2016 Touring schedule to date: • New Iceland Heritage Museum • Apr – June 2016 • Sipiweske Museum, Wawanesa • June – Sept 2016 • Canadian Museum of History • Oct 2016 – Mar 2017 • Mennonite Heritage Village • July – Aug 2017 For more information please contact Hanna Peters, Exhibits Manager Mae Irene Whyte and her 204-988-0655 or e-mail brother George, 1912 [email protected] Image Credits: Girl smiling with bathing suit: Courtesy Archives of Manitoba, Criddle Collection 101 Large group in field: Votes for Women gathering at Minitonas, MB. Loan from the descendants of Gertrude Twilley/Richardson and Fanny Twilley/Richardson Two women with fur coats: Courtesy Archives of Manitoba, Criddle Collection 148 Woman with 2 children: Courtesy Archives of Manitoba, Ransom Collection 341 Honorary Patron: Her Honour the Honourable Janice C. Filmon, CM, OM Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba Marion Kaffka 190 Rupert Avenue at Main Street • Infoline: (204) 943-3139 www.manitobamuseum.ca @ManitobaMuseum.
Recommended publications
  • United Together Against Pallister's Cuts
    FALL 2019 MANITOBA FEDERATION OF LABOUR President Rebeck speaks at Labour Day rally at the Manitoba Legislature United together against Pallister’s cuts Sisters, brothers and friends, the labour movement had a busy summer, and after the snap provincial election we face another term of the Pallister 2019 MFL Health and government and its anti-union agenda. Safety Report Card ( P. 3) However, working families can also count on a stronger NDP opposition in the Manitoba Legislature to stand up for their interests, as the NDP gained six seats. Four more years of As we have done for the previous 3.5 years, Manitoba’s unions will continue Brian Pallister ( P. 4) to be a strong voice on behalf of working families against the Pallister government’s cuts and privatization moves. KEVIN REBECK As Labour Day fell during the provincial election campaign, unions and labour activists joined together for a march from the Winnipeg General Strike streetcar monument to the Manitoba Fight for a Fair Canada this election ( P. 6) Legislature, as well as community events in other communities throughout the province. On the steps of the Legislature, I was proud to join with other speakers like NDP leader Wab Kinew, and NDP candidate for Winnipeg Centre Leah Gazan to stress the need for a united labour movement to stand up and fight back against Conservative governments and their plans to hurt working families. On the municipal front, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505 continues to stand up for its members in contract negotiations with the City of Winnipeg. AT.USW9074/DD.cope342 Cont’d on Page 2 Manitoba Federation of Labour // 303-275 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 4M6 // MFL.ca United together, cont’d 1 ATU 1505 members have been without a contract since January, and the union continues to focus on key issues for its members in negotiations, including better bus schedules, recovery time for transit drivers and mental health supports.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on Salaries
    REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER ON SALARIES, ALLOWANCES AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY July, 2017 Michael D. Werier Commissioner TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. Jurisdiction and Authority of the Commissioner 1 2. Relevant Recent Legislation 3 3. History of Review Process in Manitoba 6 4. The ReviewProcess for this Report 11 5. Principles Used to Determine Compensation and Allowances 13 6. State of the Manitoba Economic Climate 18 7. Salary, Benefits and Allowance Reviews in Other Jurisdictions 22 8. Member’s Salary 25 Decision on Member’s Salary 31 9. Premier’s Salary 32 Decision on Premier’s Salary 33 10. Salaries for Ministers, Speaker and Leader of the Opposition 33 Decision on Salaries for Ministers, Speaker and Leader of the Opposition 34 11. Additional Salaries - Special Positions 35 Decision on Additional Salaries - Special Positions 35 12. Pension Plan 35 Decision on Pension Plan 42 13. Members’ Allowance for Expenses 44 (i) Constituency Allowance 45 (a) Constituency Office Space 45 - Decision on Constituency Office Space 46 2 Page (b) Office Operation Expenses 46 (i) Bank Charges 46 - Decision on Bank Charges 46 (ii) Communication Services 47 - Decision on Communication Services 47 (iii) Limit on Communication Devices and Services 48 - Decision on Limit on Communication Devices and 48 Services (iv) Zenith Telephone 48 - Decision on Zenith Telephone 48 (v) Incidental Mailings 48 - Decision on Incidental Mailings 49 (vi) Capital Property 49 - Decision on Capital Property 50 (vii) Tools 50 - Decision
    [Show full text]
  • •USW-164 SOAR Lday07
    Spring 2016 11/2 201 6 RAPID RESPONSE AND LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE SOAR MEMBERS BRING MENTORIN G, EXPERIENCE AND A CTIVISM More than two dozen S OAR SOAR delegates, representing every USW workshops, district meetings and District in the United States, participated members, representing especially during visits with U. S. in the union’s Rapid Response and Legislative Conference. every USW District in the Senators and Representatives. Mentoring United States, traveled to time sharing their experiences over Washington, D.C., in April District 4 Director John Shinn and the years with Rob. When it came to take part in the 2016 SOAR President Bill Pienta spear- time for the meeting with Representa - Rapid Response and headed an effort within the District 4 tive Langevi n’s staff in the afternoon, Legislative Conference. delegation to link young Steelworkers Rob took the lead. with SOAR members. Al Polk was “It was apparent that the knowledge They were part of nearly 700 Steel - one of the SOAR members taking part. passed from one generation to the worker voices that learned together “When I went to Capitol Hill for next was invaluable,” Rob notes. for two days before descending upon the first time, I felt like a deer in the “When it was my time to speak and Capitol Hill. They carried a strong headlights,” he recalled. Over the represent my home state of Rhode message of opposition to bad trade years, he’d gain the experience that Island, I had no reservations talking policy, while advocating for stronger comes with repeated advocacy. Now, about our views.
    [Show full text]
  • News Service
    Manitoba Government NEWS Information Services Branch Legislative Bldg., Winnipeg SERVICE MANITOBA Phone 946-7175 Date: July 7, 1969. EDWARD R. SCHREYER PREMIER-DESIGNATE To Head First N.D.P. Government in Canada Edward Richard Schreyer, leader of Manitoba's New Demoncratic Party, Monday became premier-designate following the resignation of Premier Walter Weir and his Progressive Conservative administration. Mr. Schreyer, 33, will be the youngest premier in Canada and the youngest in Manitoba history, and he will head Canada's first N.D.P. administration. 41111 When he is sworn in by Lieutenant Governor Richard S. Bowles, he will become Manitoba's 16th premier and will lead Manitoba's 17th administration. The 28th Legislative Assembly of Manitoba was dissolved May 22 and the general election was held June 25. At dissolution, party standings were: Progressive Conservatives, 31; Liberals, 13; New Democratic Party, 12, and Social Credit,l. Subject to recounts, standings in the new legislature will be: New Democratic Party, 28; Progressive Conservatives, 22; Liberals 4; Liberal Democrat, 1; Social Credit, 1, and Independent, 1. A political science professor, Mr. Schreyer has wide political experience having won seats, in five previous general elections, in the Manitoba Legislature and in the House of Commons. He became leader of the Manitoba N.D.P. at a leadership convention June 7, less than three weeks before the June 25 election. At the time, he held a Commons seat as federal Member of Parliament for Selkirk riding, from which he resigned. When he was first elected to the Manitoba Legislature he was 22 and the youngest member in the House.
    [Show full text]
  • The Manitoba Legislative Assembly
    The Manitoba Legislative Assembly Emily Katherine Grafton Manitoba exhibits both classical characteristics of Canadian political life and unique developments that are strikingly Manitoban. Accordingly, the development of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly has reflected the range of divisions within Canadian political society, including east/west tensions, Francophone/Anglophone relations, struggles between Aboriginal lifestyles and European colonialism, urban/rural divisions and of course the continuing legacy of immigration – multiculturalism. While exhibiting these traditional Canadian elements of nation building, Manitoba has also developed a distinct identity. The Métis and First Nation heritages, 2011 CanLIIDocs 302 the timing and settlement patterns of immigration waves, the small provincial population, the province’s have-not status and its difficult climate all contribute to the political environment. As the province’s principal representative institution, the Manitoba Legislative Assembly is unique and reflects both the distinctive social and political context of Prairie politics and the complexities of the modern Western world. hen one looks over the history of Manitoba’s some Manitobans, Riel is still a champion of the first Legislative Assembly, three distinct phases of government chosen by the local people and this status Wdevelopment emerge: the province-building has been recognized by the erection of a statue of him phase, 1870 to 1921; the non-partisan coalition phase, on the grounds of the Legislative Assembly in 1970 1921 to 1969; and the modern era, 1969 to the present. and by the establishment of a provincial holiday in his honour, Louis Riel Day, in 2007. Manitoba attained provincial status in an unusual and hasty manner due to the Riel Rebellion of 1869.
    [Show full text]
  • Interview with Darren Praznik 125
    INTERVIEW WITH DARREN PRAZNIK 125 Interview with Darren Praznik 160 A good parliamentary system is about checks and balances. Ultimately, the majority will rule, as it should. But the minority members of the House have huge ability to make the government go through a lot of processes before they ultimately rule. - Darren Praznik Any minister who is not prepared to accept reasonable suggestions or improvements from the opposition or the public does so at their own peril. You look stubborn, you look like you're on an ego trip as opposed to being a good minister, and I think you're always better to be flexible in the process. .1 always respected those groups who 2003 CanLIIDocs 77 came to me and said `we're opposed to your public policy decision, but if you're going to do it, these things make it better'. I mean, why would you just want to make it hard for people for no reason? - Darren Praznik I. INTRODUCTION s a young lawyer, Darren Praznik was first elected to the Manitoba ALegislature in 1988. Under Premier Gary Filmon, Darren served as Minister responsible for a wide variety of portfolios, including Labour, Energy and Mines, Northern and Native Affairs, Health, and Highways and Transportation. Darren continued to serve as a member of the Official Opposition from 1999 until February of 2002. He has since served as Executive Director of Government Relations for Canadian Blood Services. Over eleven years in government, Darren was witness to a number of notable legislative crises, including the failure of the Meech Lake Accord in 1990 and the Manitoba Telephone System privatization debate in 1996.
    [Show full text]
  • Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS
    Third Session - Thirty-Sixth Legislature of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS Official Report (Hansard) Published under the authority of The Honourable Louise M. Dacquay Speaker Vol. XLVII No. 66-1:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 24, 1997 ISSN 0542-5492 MANITOBA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Thirty-Sixth Legislature Member Constituency Political Affiliation ASHTON, Steve Thompson N.D.P. BARRETT, Becky Wellington N.D.P. CERILLI, Marianne Radisson N.D.P. CHOMIAK, Dave Kildonan N.D.P. CUMMINGS, Glen, Hon. Ste. Rose P.C. DACQUAY, Louise, Hon. Seine River P.C. DERKACH, Leonard, Hon. Rob lin-Russell P.C. DEWAR, Gregory Selkirk N.D.P. DOER, Gary Concordia N.D.P. DOWNEY, James, Hon. Anhur-Virden P.C. DRIEDGER, Albert Steinbach P.C. DYCK, Peter Pembina P.C. ENNS, Harry, Hon. Lakeside P.C. ERNST, Jim Charleswood P.C. EVANS, Clif Interlake N.D.P. EVANS, Leonard S. Brandon East N.D.P. FILMON, Gary, Hon. Tuxedo P.C. FINDLAY, Glen, Hon. Springfield P.C. FRIESEN, Jean Wolseley N.D.P. GAUDRY, Neil St. Boniface Lib. GILLESHAMMER, Harold, Hon. Minnedosa P.C. HELWER, Edward Gimli P.C. HICKES, George Point Douglas N.D.P. JENNISSEN, Gerard Flin Flon N.D.P. KOWALSKI, Gary The Maples Ind. LAMOUREUX, Kevin Inkster Lib. LATHLIN, Oscar The Pas N.D.P. LAURENDEAU, Marcel St. Norbert P.C. MACKINTOSH, Gord St. Johns N.D.P. MALOWAY, Jim Elmwood N.D.P. MARTINDALE, Doug Burrows N.D.P. McALPINE, Gerry Sturgeon Creek P.C. McCRAE, James, Hon. Brandon West P.C. McGIFFORD, Diane Osborne N.D.P.
    [Show full text]
  • Manitoba's Changes to Workers Compensation Legislation
    Manitoba’s Changes to Workers Compensation Legislation Regarding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Analysis and Legislative Process N O R A F I E N * I. INTRODUCTION orkers Compensation provides benefits to employees injured at work. Compensation is provided both for physical and W psychological injuries, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD]. In most jurisdictions, the onus is on the worker to show that their PTSD is work-related. Recently, a number of provincial governments and political parties have introduced bills to change that. Several years ago, Alberta passed a bill that created a presumption that an emergency worker’s PTSD was work-related, unless the contrary could be shown. Ontario just recently passed similar provisions. Since then, similar bills have been introduced in legislatures throughout the country. But last year, Manitoba went a step further and legislated the presumption for all workers covered by Workers Compensation. Public awareness about mental illnesses like PTSD has been increasing, along with the recognition that stigma is a barrier to treatment. Political parties have presented presumption bills as a way to reduce stigma and speed access to treatment for work-related PTSD. These are of course admirable goals, so admirable in fact that the bills do not always receive much scrutiny from opposing parties. One can speculate that a political party does not want to appear unsupportive of emergency workers, who * J.D. (2016). 2 MANITOBA LAW JOURNAL| VOLUME 40 ISSUE 2 are quite highly regarded by the public – certainly more so than the average politician. Manitoba’s legislature passed Bill 35, The Workers Compensation Amendment Act (Presumption re Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Amendments)1 [Bill 35], into law last year.
    [Show full text]
  • THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY of MANITOBA 10:00 O'clock, Friday, April 21St, 1967
    2773 THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA 10:00 o'clock, Friday, April 21st, 1967 Opening Prayer by Mr. Speaker. MR . SPEAKER: Presenting Petitions Reading and Receiving Petitions Presenting Reports by Standing and Special Committees Notices of Motion Introduction of Bills MR . JAMES COWAN , Q.C. (Winnipeg Centre) introduced Bill No. 118, an Act to amend The Public Schools Act (6). MR. SPEAKER : I'd like to take a moment to introduce some students in the gallery. I believe this is somewhat of a record; they are the youngest group that we've had this se ssion. We have 60 students of Grade 3 standing from the Birchwood School. These students are under the direction of Mrs. Pratt and Miss Rodger. This school is located in the constituency of the Honourable the Member for Assiniboia. On behalf of all the Honourable Members of the Lelsi.slative Assembly, I welcome you all here today . MR . SPEAKER: Orders of the Day. The Honourable the Leader of the Opposition, MR . GILDAS MOLGAT (Leader of the dpposition)(Ste. Rose): Mr. Speaker, before the Orders of the Day, I'd like to address a question to the Minister of Highways. Has any decision yet been taken on the location of the bridge across the Saskatchewan River at The Pas. HON. WALTER WEIR (Minister of Highways) (Minnedosa): No, Mr. Speaker. MR . MOLGAT: A sub sequent question, Mr. Speaker. Has any recommendation been received from the Council of the Town of The Pas ? MR . WEIR : Yes, Mr. Speaker. MR . MOLGAT: Well, Mr. Speaker, why then is there any delay, because the Premier when speaking at The Pas at the time the House was there in February announced that as soon as there was a decision by the town council the bridge would be proceeded with.
    [Show full text]
  • Hansard Newsletter External Relations - Government and Community Engagement May 2012
    Hansard Newsletter External Relations - Government and Community Engagement May 2012 Canadian universities focus on opportunities in Brazil Brazil was front and centre for Canadian post-secondary institutions in April, spurred on by the March an- nouncement that the Canadian Bureau for International Education signed on with Brazil’s two major grant- ing agencies to administer the Canadian component of Brazil’s Science without Borders Program. The pro- gram offers 101,000 scholarships to Brazilians to study, intern, and conduct research in selected nations over a 4-year period. As a selected nation, Canada’s program will initially focus on undergraduates who will study or intern for up to 12 months in Canada, with a possible 2 additional months of language study, and then return to Brazil to finish their degree programs. This announcement helped set the stage for the nearly 30 Canadian university presidents, including Presi- dent Barnard, taking part in the AUCC sponsored presidents' mission to Brazil in late April and early May. The mission was very successful, with 75 new partnerships and scholarship programs worth over $6.7M in university and government funding announced. An additional $10.25 million investment in undergraduate internships and graduate fellowships was also made during the mission through Mitacs. Canada’s Mitacs connects university-based researchers, includ- ing graduate students and faculty members, with Canadian companies through collaborative research pro- jects and provides research internships to top international undergraduate students. The University of Manitoba will invest up to $880,000 over the next five years to attract 20 Brazilian doctor- al or masters students annually and help cover the costs of tuition fees and English language education.
    [Show full text]
  • YOU ARE the GAME-CHANGERS Life Is Full of Uncertainty
    YOU ARE THE GAME- CHANGERS A YEAR OF IMPACT AT ST. BONIFACE HOSPITAL 2019 ANNUAL REPORT stbhf.ca MISSION The mission of St. Boniface Hospital Foundation is to raise TABLE OF funds to support excellence in health care and research at St. Boniface Hospital in a manner that is guided by the legacy and values of the Grey Nuns. CONTENTS Message from the President and Chair ................................................... 2 VISION Foundation Governance and Staff ........................................................... 3 St. Boniface Hospital Foundation will be at the Game-changing Impact in 2019 ............................................................... 4 forefront of fundraising to promote excellence in health Statement of Financial Position ................................................................ 5 care and research to create a healthier society. Statement of Operations .......................................................................... 6 Racing Against Time .................................................................................. 7 PRIORITIES 2019 Donors ............................................................................................... 8 • Helping donors make thoughtful, A Legacy of Love ........................................................................................ 13 personally meaningful philanthropic choices with Legacy of Hope Society ............................................................................ 14 impact Hope for the Future Through Research Today ......................................
    [Show full text]
  • 153 Lombard Avenue Grain Exchange Building Annex
    153 LOMBARD AVENUE GRAIN EXCHANGE BUILDING ANNEX City of Winnipeg Historical Buildings Committee March 2007 153 LOMBARD AVENUE – GRAIN EXCHANGE BUILDING ANNEX By the mid-1880s, it was evident that wheat would soon become the West’s most important commodity. Early shipments of raw grain and processed flour had been well received by both domestic and export buyers. The Canadian Pacific Railway was in place to move wheat to market, and production was growing as more homesteaders adapted to the rich prairie soil. To capitalize on the potential trade, several local businessmen organized the Winnipeg Grain and Produce Exchange in 1887. Executives such as Daniel McMillan, Nicholas Bawlf, George Galt and Rodmond Roblin initially oversaw the operation of an open cash market for wheat. The Exchange soon developed into one of the world's principal grain markets – the only organization of its type in Canada and, within North America, second only to Chicago in importance. Its scope expanded in 1904 into futures trading in wheat, oats and flaxseed, then in the 1910s to futures markets for barley and rye. The Exchange was located in the Market Square area – first in the basement of City Hall, then in buildings on Princess Street. When the latter facilities were quickly outgrown, the traders opted to construct larger premises at the northeast corner of Lombard Avenue and Rorie Street in 1906-07. Through the construction of additional floors and extensions (see Plate 1), the building became an 11-storey office building that was, at one time, the largest of its type in the British Commonwealth, fronting an entire block on Rorie Street and creating a commanding presence in the area (Plates 2 and 3).
    [Show full text]